Tree Resource Improvement and Maintenance (TRIM) Grant

Get up to $10,000 to manage, improve or conserve Missouri's community trees.

Deadline is June 1

TRIM is a competitive cost-share tree care program administered by the Missouri Department of Conservation in cooperation with the Missouri Community Forest Council. The program provides reimbursement of $1,000 to $10,000 to assist government agencies, public schools and nonprofit groups with the management, improvement or conservation of trees on public lands. Dependent on budget approval, we may be able to offer one to three $25,000 maximum grants with collection of data and management plan creation as the priorities.

Projects eligible for TRIM funding include tree inventory, removal or pruning of hazardous trees, tree planting, and training of volunteers and city/county employees to best care for our community forests.

Application Workshops

Workshops are scheduled around the state to assist new or returning grantees. Please check the TRIM Events calendar on this page or get in touch with your local MDC Forester.

Applicants must submit a completed application form, which details project costs and funding sources, maps and drawings of the project site, a three-year maintenance plan for the project and a letter of approval from the governmental body owning the proposed project site. The application deadline is June 1.

Projects for funding are selected on a competitive basis. A panel of judges assess each proposal for its value to the community, thoroughness as a tree-management program and the ability to promote, improve and develop a community's urban forest and economic feasibility.

Grant recipients can receive up to 60 percent of the money needed for their projects. Projects located in communities with The Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree City USA designation are eligible for an additional 10 percent in matching funds.

An application workbook is available in PDF format below to help interested communities put together a first-rate proposal.

Tree Resource Improvement and Maintenance (TRIM) Grant Application

Download, print, and fill in this year's Tree Resource Improvement and Maintenance (TRIM) Grant Application.

Tree Resource Improvement and Maintenance (TRIM) Workbook

This workbook helps you complete your Tree Resource Improvement and Maintenance (TRIM) grant.

Tree Resource Improvement and Maintenance (TRIM) Grant Application Workshop Schedule

Seven workshops scheduled throughout the state aim to help you develop the most successful Tree Resource Improvement and Maintenance (TRIM) grant application possible. Some require registration. Find the one nearest you.

Sample TRIM Grant Application

This sample application shows you how to complete the Tree Resource Improvement and Maintenance grant application successfully.